Insecticides in Bedding Plants

Bedding plants in greenhouse.

There have been
concerns about the use of neonicotinoid insecticides, particularly
imidacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, and dinotefuran, in bedding plants
purchased at garden centers, and their effects on honey bees and other pollinating
insects. Much of this interest was generated by a report by Friends of the
Earth of analyses conducted on bedding plants being sold in garden centers in
spring 2013 and published later that year.

A review article I wrote is at
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/ipr/i8739_829.html#124754. This was followed by a more extensive study, Gardeners
Beware 2014, Bee-Toxic Pesticides Found in "Bee-Friendly" Plants sold at Garden
Centers Across the U.S. and Canada that can be accessed at
http://libcloud.s3.amazonaws.com/93/3a/3/4738/GardenersBewareReport_2014.pdf.

Earlier this year, Lowe's announced that they will phase
out sales of neonicotinoid insecticides by 2019 as they identify replacement
insecticides. I find it at least coincidental that EPA is due to complete their
analysis of neonicotinoid insecticides in 2018. Many garden centers are
requiring that growers label bedding plants as to whether neonicotinoids insecticides
have been used on them.

AmericanHort, Society of American Florists, Horticultural
Research Institute, and American Floral Endowment issued a statement in
response to Lowe's position on neonicotinoid insecticides as follows.

April 9, 2015 (Washington, D.C.)

"As professional
horticulturists, we grow trees, plants and flowers, and healthy trees, plants
and flowers are critically important to healthy bees and healthy bee habitats.
Pollinator health is a highly complex issue, and we recognize that there many
factors that can affect bee health. Although the improper use of pesticides can
harm bees, a growing number of credible independent studies indicate that
neonicotinoids, when used as directed, are not the cause of widespread bee
health issues.

"Consumers want
plants that are healthy, beautiful and pest-free, and neonicotinoids have
proven to be among the most effective pest management tools available.
Neonicotinoids also are among the safest products we have for both our
employees and the environment.

"Lowe's position is surprising, considering the most
recent and positive reports on the state of honeybee health (NASS honey report)
and recent peer reviewed research. This is an issue for which sound science
must take priority. Plant growers are experts on how to produce healthy plants.
We embrace the challenge of protecting bee and pollinator health and the
opportunity to be part of the solution. We will continue to fund important research
on the health of bees, and guide horticulture on safe and responsible pest
management. Horticulture will look to the best science to guide our efforts.
For additional information on what horticulture needs to know about pollinator
health, view our video at http://bit.ly/ProtectingPollinatorsVideo."

There are numerous
research studies that show links between neonicotinoid insecticides and other
pesticides with honey bee and other pollinator declines. There are also
numerous studies that show links of other factors with these declines. Perhaps
the joint EPA and USDA report on pollinator decline issued in May 2013 is the
most comprehensive. My review article of that report is at
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/ipr/i8627_829.html#123485.

It is not possible to prove that neonicotinoid
insecticides in bedding plants and those used on home gardens and landscapes
are not major factors in honey bee and other pollinator declines. It is
impossible to prove any negative. However, various studies and reports indicate
that these insecticides probably play only a minor role in these declines.

Many experts feel that besides relatively low levels of
insecticides in the pollen and nectar of treated plants, there is a dilution
effect by non-treated plants that are visited in the landscape. This is
tempered by recent research showing a preference in honey bees and bumblebees
to neonicotinoid-treated plants (http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nature14414.html#close). Honey bees and bumblebees have previously
been shown to have a preference for nicotine, so this preference for
neonicotinoids is not a complete surprise.

The European Commission's two-year moratorium on
neonicotinoid insecticide use on flowering crops ends at the end of 2015. The
resulting analyses and report should be useful in understanding the situation.
France stopped the use of neonicotinoid insecticides in 1999 and still has
honey bee colony collapse disorder. A recent report states that Australia does
not have colony collapse disorder and uses neonicotinoid insecticides, but does
not have varroa mite. Varroa mite is a debilitating pest of honey bees that
also transmits several viral diseases to honey bees.

University of Illinois Extension continues to recommend
the use of neonicotinoid insecticides in controlling insect pests. We will
continue to do so as long as their use is supported by research showing they
are effective in controlling pests while presenting acceptable risks to human
health and the environment, including pollinators.

PPE Reminders

As pesticide
spraying begins, it's important to remember to follow labeled directions
regarding clothing, aka Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). The label is the source of information on
what to wear.

Just about all labels state long-sleeved shirts, long
pants, shoes and socks, and a hat. Labels don't differentiate between 50-degree
temperatures and 100-degree temperatures; it's always long-sleeved shirts and
long pants.

In other words, shorts and short-sleeved shirts are not
recommended for applying pesticides.

Gloves are usually recommended but not always. Check the
label.

Avoid 100% polyester clothing, especially shirts. While
they may be more comfortable during hot days, according to an Ohio State
University study, they allow pesticides to penetrate to the skin. Cotton or 50%
polyester material is better for shirts and pants.

One of the most important things to remember is that
gloves and shoes should NOT be leather. Pesticides bind with leather, poisoning
the operator every time the shoes or boots are put on, especially if the
leather becomes damp. You need chemically resistant materials such as Neoprene,
Viton, butyl rubber, and Nitrile.
Another option is to wear disposable shoe coverings over your boots;
they are available from several supply companies.

Make sure to wash clothes daily using hot water and a
strong detergent. Don't wait until the
end of the week to wash clothes. Line dry the items to avoid contaminating the
dryer with any pesticides not washed out. Line drying outdoors also allows UV
light to break down some of the chemicals.

2015 Agricultural Container Recycling Schedule

This program allows agriculture producers such as farmers
and commercial applicators a method of disposing of unwanted containers at no
charge without resorting to burying in a landfill or other potentially illegal
means.

The 2015 recycling dates will run from July 28, 2015
through August 28, 2015 in 30 Illinois counties. Please refer to the above
website for specific locations, dates, and times.

The program is sponsored by the Illinois Department of
Agriculture in conjunction with the Agriculture Container Recycling Council,
GROWMARK, Inc., the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association, Container
Services Network, the Farm Bureau, and the U of I Extension Service.

Only containers made from high density polyethylene
(HDPE) #2 plastic are acceptable for recycling. Containers must be
triple-rinsed or pressure-rinsed and dry. Metal containers, household pesticide
containers, and containers with liquid in them will not be accepted.

Year-round disposal is also available at three permanent
collection sites in Green, McLean, and Lawrence counties. Please call to ensure
the facility will be open.

IDOA Schedules Clean Sweep Collection in Central Illinois

Residents of
seven central Illinois counties can dispose of unwanted agrichemicals for free
this year through the Illinois Department of Agriculture's (IDOA) agricultural
pesticide "Clean Sweep" program.

A "Clean Sweep" collection has been scheduled in late
summer for Calhoun, Cass, Morgan, Greene, Jersey, Pike and Scott counties, the
Department announced today. The collection, which rotates among Illinois
counties, is open to farmers, retired farmers, nursery owners, private
pesticide applicators, structural pest control applicators and landowners who
inherited unwanted agricultural pesticides with their property.

"There are two main reasons to take advantage of this
program," said Warren Goetsch, Bureau Chief of Environmental Programs.

"The Department is able to provide the service free of
charge thanks to a grant obtained from the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency. If individuals were to properly dispose of agrichemicals on their own,
the cost would be expensive. Secondly, the state of Illinois, not the program
participant, will assume liability for the proper disposal of all materials collected."

Participants must register the products they plan to
dispose of by July 15. Registration is required to give the waste disposal
contractor time to prepare for the different kinds of materials that will need
to be handled. Forms can be obtained either by calling the Illinois Department
of Agriculture's Pesticide Hotline at 1-800-641-3934 or visiting one of the program
sponsors listed below. Completed forms should be mailed or faxed to the
Illinois Department of Agriculture. The mailing address is: Clean Sweep Program, Illinois Department of
Agriculture, State Fairgrounds, P.O. Box 19281, Springfield, IL, 62794-9281.
The fax number is (217) 524-4882. Participants then will be sent a reservation
card indicating the date, time and location of their collection.

The "Clean Sweep" program began in 1990 in Illinois.
Since the inception of the program, the Department has held 45 collection
events through the state and collected 517,688 pounds of material from 1,867
participants.

Glyphosate and Cancer and Why It’s Still Recommended for Weed Control

Recently the IARC (International Agency for Research on
Cancer) designated glyphosate as a "possible carcinogen". In sharp contrast,
other reviewing bodies, including the U.S. EPA, have determined that it is not
a carcinogen. Still, much damage has been done by misleading or alarming
headlines and questions are being asked.

There has been no shortage of news stories, emails, blog
posts, and discussions on social media about the topic. After reading and hearing much about this, my
initial concerns have been put to rest.

The IARC based their determination on previous studies,
which have likely been reviewed by the EPA.
There was no new research done by the IARC. Glyphosate is still
registered for use by the EPA and Illinois Department of Agriculture.

The IARC made their determination after reviewing
glyphosate and several other chemicals for only one week. Reviews of glyphosate
in the United States and other countries have taken up to 5 years.

The IARC made their determination based on potential
hazard rather than actual risk of harm. The rates were much higher than what
product labels allow. What happened to "the dose makes the poison"? Anything at
a high enough dose can cause harm. Estrogen at a high enough dose can cause
cancer.

The "Risk Bites" videos are great at explaining
toxicology in an easy-to-understand yet entertaining manner. The creators use
animation to explain what it means when something could "probably cause
cancer". Here they have tackled the "glyphosate is a carcinogen" topic and put
it into perspective. Remember, the dose makes the poison.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CbBkB81ySxQ

Glyphosate is a well-studied herbicide. Many studies have
made the news. Many studies have been proven to be flawed. Just as we've seen
with medical issues, corrective reports are often deemed less newsworthy than the
original eye-catching headline. At that
point, the damage has been done.

Glyphosate is loved by many and hated by many. Many of
the haters include those who are against GMO crops. Glyphosate is widely used
for weed control in both corn and soybean crops that have been genetically
modified to tolerate the use of this herbicide. Today, glyphosate is sold and
distributed by many companies. However, it was originally developed by
Monsanto. Therefore, glyphosate is a popular target by those who march against
Monsanto and other forms of "big" or conventional agriculture.

In short, given the lack of any new evidence that would
steer us otherwise, we and other weed control professionals across the country
will still continue to recommend glyphosate as it is a widely used and
effective weed killer – not only in genetically modified corn and soybeans, but
also in orchards, forests, wetlands, landscapes, etc. Overall, it is
inexpensive and works very well in many situations. We are committed to safety,
yet we are also committed to helping both professionals and land/home owners
win their battles against invasive, habitat-destroying, yield-robbing weeds. If
credible science proves otherwise, we will appropriately revise our
recommendations. Of course in most situations, there are other herbicides and
weed control methods you can choose from. Glyphosate is not the only
option.

Users of products which contain glyphosate or any
pesticide for that matter should carefully read and follow all label directions.
The label will provide guidance on what clothing or personal protective
equipment should be worn so that exposure and therefore the overall hazard
associated with using the chemical is reduced. For applicators, reducing
exposure by covering up the skin reduces the hazard.

This is "[a] prospective study of cancer and other health
outcomes in a cohort of licensed pesticide applicators and their spouses from
Iowa and North Carolina. The AHS began in 1993 with the goal of answering
important questions about how agricultural, lifestyle and genetic factors
affect the health of farming populations. The study is a collaborative effort
involving investigators from National Cancer Institute, the National Institute
of Environmental Health Sciences, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health."

A Method to Measure the
Environmental Impact of Pesticides ¬– Joseph Kovach and his colleagues
have found a standardized way to compare differences in pesticides in terms of
their relative dangers to humans and the environment. An Environmental Impact
Quotient (EIQ) is then assigned to a pesticide. These values can be used to
compare pesticides and pest management programs to determine which is likely to
have lower environmental impact. A table of herbicides is provided. These
values can change over time, but at press time, glyphosate has an EIQ of 15.33.
Most of the herbicides listed have higher values, but the lower the number, the
lower potential for impact. Learn more at:
http://www.nysipm.cornell.edu/publications/eiq/default.asp

Planning for Spills

Few things are
scarier than a pesticide spill. Thoughts run quickly through the mind of
everything that could go wrong, from health problems to environmental
contamination.

If a major spill occurs, as defined by the reportable
quantity (RQ), found on the Safety Data Sheet, contact IEMA, the Illinois
Emergency Management Agency (1-800-782-7860).
Not all products have the same RQ.
That's why it's important to always have the SDS for every product you
use.

When a spill occurs, think of the 3 C's: Control, Contain, Cleanup.

The first step is to control the spill, or stop
it. If the container is leaking, place it in a larger container. For example,
if a gallon jug is leaking, place the container in a five-gallon bucket. Even setting the container or small sprayer
in a child's swimming pool will stop leaks from spreading.

If a larger container is leaking, try to plug up the leak
with clumping kitty litter patted on the area, or use a bentonite/polymer compound, spray
insulation foams, Hi 'N Dri™ bonding agents, or other products available from
pesticide application stores, such as Gempler's, QC Supply, EnviroMet, Mantek,
and more.

Of course, none of the materials will help if you don't
have them on hand. Most are inexpensive, so it pays to keep them within your
facility or vehicles.

The next C is contain. You need to make sure the
spill or leak doesn't spread. Cotton
batting, kitty litter, absorbent pads, absorbent tube socks, or containment
snakes are also supplies to have on hand if the spill is on a flat, smooth
surface such as the floor of a shed or garage. Even materials such as the
water-absorbing granules used by florists or in diapers will absorb liquids.

If a leak occurs in the field or yard, you need a shovel
to create dikes and/or dams so the pesticide doesn't spread beyond that area.

The main goal with containment is to prevent the
pesticide from moving, particularly into sewers, drains, streams, rivers, or
other water sources.

The last C is cleanup, moving the absorbent
material to heavy-duty containers for disposal. Heavy-duty garbage bags or
steel drums lined with heavy duty plastic are recommended, though labeled or
SDS (Safety Data Sheet) instructions will always take precedent.

Use a heavy-duty shovel or broom and a dustpan to sweep
up dried materials. Afterwards, wash down the area if indoors with strong
detergent, and use absorbent material to soak up the wash water, disposing of
it in plastic containers.

In fields, about the only thing to do is to remove the
topsoil. This may involve specialized companies, and you definitely need to
contact the IEMA.

Of course, throughout all these operations you need to
wear personal protective equipment (PPE) including chemical-resistant clothing,
boots, goggles and gloves. Disposable
PPE is recommended.

Having a spill kit in your facility is not only practical
but also easy to assemble. Kits should
contain:

• Chemical-resistant
gloves

• Chemical-resistant
coverall

• Chemical-resistant
boots

• Chemical splash
goggles

• Respirator if
working in a confined space or specified by the pesticide label